The basketball world's obsession with clothing has developed gradually just like any other fashion addiction.

One pair of shoes becomes two pairs of shoes, becomes three rare pairs of shoes, becomes camping outside a mall and risking violence for a limited edition pair of shoes, becomes a closet full of 200 pairs of shoes, and on, and on. One luxury suit, becomes 10 luxury suits, becomes a strong desire to wear something no one else has worn before, becomes the desire to look outlandish for the sake of looking outlandish, becomes a goal of looking absolutely ridiculous to make a mockery of the whole exercise.

Step by step by step, we as observers follow right along, going deeper into our fascination with the postgame podium runway scene. For some, the actual basketball has taken a backseat to the endless accessories -- vests, glasses, backpacks -- and luxury labels.